Spirit-level



W. PRADDEX.

v SPIRIT LEVEL.

(No Model.)

Patented Feb. 23, 1892;

Unitas STATES PATENT Fries.

lVILLIAM PRADD-EX, OF LAIVRENOE, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPIRIT-LEVEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 469,451, dated February23, 1892.

Application filed April 11, 1891. Serial No. 383,529. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM PRADDEX, of Lawrence, county of Essex, Stateof Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Levels, of which thefollowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, lsaspecification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

\Vooden levels as now commonly constructed are rectangular in cross-section, which makes them exceedingly difficult to handle at times,particularly in cold weather, and when such a level is placed upon oneend with the other end resting against asupport, as levels arefrequently placed by workmen when in use, itis easily caused to fallover by any slight jar or vibration incident to the work in thevicinity.

This invention has for its object to produce a level irregular incross-section, that it may be better grasped by the Workman when usingit in difficult places or in cold weather, and which will better remainin a substantially vertical position, or when leaned against a fixedsupport.

In accordance with this invention the sides of the level are groovedlongitudinally, or otherwise made to present an irregular surface,preferably in such a manner as to present longitudinal side flanges attop and bottom, which flanges may be cut away or partially removed ateither side of the leveling-glass, so that when the level is violentlydropped or laid down the leveling-glass will not receive the shock, thusprotecting the glass from breaking. A fine wire will preferably be bentor curved aboutthe visible portion of the leveling-glass at its centralpoint, to aid the workmen in using the level, as will be hereinafterdescribed.

Other features of this invention will be hereinafter described, andpointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 represents in top or plan view a level embodying thisinvention; Fig. 2, a side View thereof; Fig. 3, a cross-section on thedotted line 0: 00, Fig. 1, looking to the right; and Fig. 4, an enlargedsectional detailtaken 011 theline 00 m, Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the level A, as herein shown, is provided atsubstantially its middle at either side with a longitudinal groove ordepression A, extending throughout the entire length of the stock, andleaving at each side projecting flanges or lips A of sufficient size topermit the level to be easily grasped or handled by the workman. Theends of the stock A, by reason of the grooves or depressions A extendingthroughout the entire length of the stock, present at their oppositesides shallow depressions, which, when the level is left standing uponone end with its opposite end placed against a vertical support, as thestud of a building, will serve to retain the level in such position andprevent its being jarred to one side and permitted to fall by a slightknock accidentally given, or by the vibrations of its support caused bythe operations of the workman.

The level A is provided with the usual levcling-glasses a and b, whichglasses are and may be of any usual kind or construction and such as arecommon to levels as at present constructed. The usual faceplate a forthe glass 0, together with its flange A is cut away or removed, as at 0.(see Fig. 1,) for a distance substantially equal to or somewhat greaterthan the length of the leveling-glass a, so that if the level should bedropped or otherwise violently handled the flanges A will receive theshock, the cut-away portions a protecting the leveling-glass from theshock and greatly lessening the liability of breaking the same.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the leveling-glass a, at its middle orcentral point is represented as partially surrounded by a fine wire 0,which wire, surrounding, as it does, the visible portion of theleveling'glass a, will assist the workman in using the level.

I am aware that theleveling-glasses of levels have heretofore beenengraved or otherwise marked at their upper sides, or in sucha manner asto be useful when viewing the level from above; but in some classes ofwork it is necessary to view the level from the side, as shown in Fig.2, in which case a mark upon the top of the leveling-glass would not bevisible, but the wire 0, surrounding the visible portion of the glass,maybe detected from any side or position, thus making it equallyconvenient to use the level upon its bottom or top side.

I am aware that protecting-plates for the levelingglasses have beenstamped out in such manner as to leave a band running across the top;but such bands must necessarily be Wider or thicker than is desirable,in order to permit them to be stamped out; but by employing a wire, asshown, such may be made as fine as desired and at the same time may beaccurately and firmly placed in position.

I do not desire to limit this invention to the particular form of grooveA shown.

I claim- 1. The herein-describedlevelhavinga continuous longitudinalgroove cut in its opposite sides and extending throughout their entirelength, leaving flanges A at each side of sufficient size to permit thelevel to be easily grasped and handled, and forming depressionsextending from one to the other flange in the opposite edges of each endof thelevel to sustain the level in an inclined or elevated positionwhen resting against a support, substantially as described.

2. The herein -described wooden level, shaped in cross-section topresent longitudinal flanges 'cut awayor removed at eitherside 25 of theleveling glass, substantially as described.

3. The herein described wooden level, shaped in cross-section to presentlongitudinal flanges, and the face-plate having a portion cut away orremoved at either side of the leveling-glass, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a level,the combination,with the leveling-glass, of a wire 0,surrounding the visible portion of said glass at its central point, 35substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM PRAD-DEX.

Witnesses:

RosooE G. WINsLOW, HENRY WV. CALDWELL.

